Children's Home run by Destiny House in Harrow

Unique reference number SC038906 Inspection date 26/03/2013 Inspector Janet Hunnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in December 2012, the home was judged as adequate for overall effectiveness. One requirement and five recommendations for improvement were made. These have been met.

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Progress

The home now includes reference to the effectiveness of sanctions used in the recording of measures of discipline. The policy on the use of physical intervention has been amended and is now in line with guidance and approved approaches to the application of physical intervention.

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Progress

A development plan is in place with an action plan to address the home’s strengths and weaknesses and improve the quality of care provided for young people. The policy and procedures relating to staff working alone with young people have been revised. Records of individual supervision sessions with staff are more comprehensive. No new staff have been employed since the last inspection and so it is not possible to ascertain if telephone enquiries are made as well as written references to verify the suitability of adults working with young people. Young people continue to make good progress at the home in relation to their attendance and achievement in education. They are also making significant progress in relation to their behaviour. The home celebrates the achievements made by young people with praise and recognition. Young people build positive relationships with staff who promote responsibility and trust. Young people are happy at the home.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive individualised care but care plans do not reflect the detailed, specific needs of young people and the strategies in place to support their development.

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Progress

The safety and welfare of young people is central to practice at the home. However, safeguarding polices do not include procedures for managing allegations against staff and the child protection policy has not been sent to the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Local Authority Designated Officer for consideration and comment. Not all staff have received recent training to update their knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding issues or to refresh their skills in relation to the administration of medication.

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Progress

Monitoring of the home is not robust in relation to addressing shortfalls identified in the quality of care such as staff training needs. Reports monitoring Schedule 6 matters are not sent to Ofsted nor are they sent to the placing authority on request.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated there, with particular regard to care plans (Regulation 11(1)(a)) 30/05/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the policy intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children's home sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16(1)(b)) 30/05/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a report in respect of any review conducted for the purpose of monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 is supplied to the HMCI and on request to placing authorities. (Regulation 34 (2)) 30/05/2013

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that the child protection procedures are submitted for consideration and comment to the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)and to the local Authority Designated Officer for Child Protection and are consistent with the local policies and procedures agreed by the LSCB relevant to the geographical area of the home (NMS 20.4)  ensure that staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting, and training keeps them up-to-date with professional, legal and practice developments and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the home (NMS 18.1)  ensure the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by the monitoring. (NMS 21.2)

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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